All Europe World Cup Final On the Way

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 06: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Netherlands celebrates scoring the opening goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Semi Final match between Uruguay and the Netherlands at Green Point Stadium on July 6, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

What a difference a week makes.

Just seven days ago, it looked highly probable that the World Cup's final four was going to consist of all South American teams, as four squads from the continent made it into the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930. Traditional powers Brazil and Argentina looked strong and creative heading into the quarterfinals, while the scrappy and resourceful teams from Paraguay and Uruguay played smartly to earn their spots.

Throughout the tournament, Germany and the Netherlands have played excellent football, owning a combined 10-1 record before today's kick off. The offenses for both squads have been lethal and German forward Miroslav Klose could win the golden boot for most goals scored in the tournament.

Spain has looked a little more restrained, but that could simply be because they've never reached these heights before, getting into the semi-finals for the first time. However their most important player, striker David Villa, has been a man unbound, netting five goals thus far, one more than Germany's Klose.

There's no easy explanation for why these European teams advanced while their more flashy southern opponents wilted in the spotlight. Some would attribute the success to their workman-like style of play, but that seems too simple, especially in light of similar teams like Uruaguay and Paraguay.

In any event, even though the more high profile English, French and Italian sides went home early, Europe will once again be host to the world's most prized sports trophy for the next four years.